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Big Ten Hoops Power Rankings

By Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor -
3 years ago

It’s time to release my latest Big Ten men’s hoops power rankings. The rankings are not meant to mimic the Big Ten standings. What fun would that be? They aren’t scientific, either. They’re simply my thoughts on where each Big Ten team stands right now and who would win on a neutral court. Agree? Disagree? Tweet @BTNBrentYarina or leave your comments below. Also, did you see my top 10 Big Ten plays from the past week? Watch them and vote for your top play. The latest national polls are out, as well.

2.Michigan (20-7, 10-4) – Everyone talks about Trey Burke when it comes to Michigan, and deservedly so, but the defense has been another big story. The Wolverines are surrendering 59 points per game the last nine times out — a span that includes three tests against the Big Ten’s highest-scoring teams: Indiana and Ohio State.Last time: No. 3This week: at Northwestern (2/21), vs. Purdue (2/25)

4.Wisconsin (20-7, 9-5) – One of the Big Ten’s most underrated and most improved players, Ryan Evans is heating up down the stretch, averaging 13.7 points and 7.8 rebounds in the last six games. The junior hasn’t scored fewer than 11 points during the streak.Last time: No. 4This week: at Iowa (2/23), at Ohio State (2/26)

5.Indiana (20-7, 8-7) – It’s hard to decide which Jordan Hulls stat from last week is more surprising: Eight field goal attempts or two points combined in a pair of games? Regardless, the Hoosiers need their best shooter hoisting up more shots and scoring a lot more points.Last time: No. 5This week: vs. NC Central (2/22), at Minnesota (2/26)

7.Northwestern (16-10, 6-8) – Congrats go out to John Shurna, who became Northwestern’s all-time leading scorer in Saturday’s win over Minnesota (watch the record-setting 3!). Lost in Shurna’s historical day was the return of injury-riddled JerShon Cobb, who played 24 minutes and tallied five rebounds and five steals. Can he stay on the floor, though?Last time: No. 8This week: vs. Michigan (2/21), at Penn State (2/25)

8.Iowa (14-13, 6-8) – Where was this effort all season, Melsahn Basabe? The sophomore played with unreal energy in Sunday’s payback win against then-No. 20 Indiana, and he was rewarded with his best game (13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 5 blocks).Last time: T-No. 9This week: vs. Wisconsin (2/23), at Illinois (2/26)

9.Minnesota (17-10, 5-9) – Slowly fading out of the NCAA tourney picture, the Gophers have lost four of five, including three consecutive. And it doesn’t get any easier, with first-place Michigan State and ranked Indiana coming to The Barn this week.Last time: No. 7This week: vs. Michigan State (2/22), vs. Indiana (2/26)

T-10.Nebraska (12-13, 4-10) – Whether Saturday’s blowout win against Illinois was more about what the Huskers did or who they were playing, they’ve never looked better as a Big Ten team. For 40 minutes, Nebraska looked terrific — almost like a Big Ten contender, if you didn’t know any better.Last time: No. 12This week: at Purdue (2/22), at Michigan State (2/25)

T-10.Penn State (12-16, 4-11) – Make whatever kind of joke you may about the less-than-stellar atmosphere at the Bryce Jordan Center, the Nittany Lions are a surprising 4-3 in Big Ten home games. You’ve been warned, Northwestern.Last time: No. 11This week: vs. Northwestern (2/25)

12.Illinois (16-11, 5-9) – In an attempt to shake things up and get Illinois out of its prolonged funk Saturday at Nebraska, Bruce Weber brought Brandon Paul off the bench. Not only did Paul, the Big Ten’s third-leading scorer in conference games, score only two points, but the Illini suffered the worst loss (80-57) of the Big Ten this season.Last time: T-No. 9This week: at Ohio State (2/21), vs. Iowa (2/26)

Brent Yarina is a web editor and blogger for BTN.com. Find all of his work here and follow him on twitter at @BTNBrentYarina.